There are two types of vending machines. The first is the classic drink machine where coins, dollars, and credit cards can be inserted to pay for cold drinks. Another type is the fountain dispenser that mixes the flavored syrup with carbonated water. Both can be expensive to buy, but both can be rented for less permanent events and places. View this website to see if a drinks vending machine hire is right for your needs.
A drink vending machine can cost several thousand dollars. This is true both for snack machines and those that are made specifically for holding aluminum cans. A fountain machine costs around three thousand dollars, and even a gumball machine costs well over two hundred dollars. Clearly, this is only a viable option for permanent businesses.
The alternative is to rent. This niche service is not outrageous at all seeing that plenty of people might want a vending machine or a fountain machine for only a short period of time. The event has to have access to electricity, which is not impossible for an outdoor event. Fountains chill liquid and so need electricity, and vending machines are essentially large refrigerators and need plenty of current. If using an extension chord, ask about power ratings.
The renter has to ask serious questions about economics if the desire is profit, although having a machine can reduce the staff needed at an event and in a place where temporary help is hard to find. Sometimes people just want a drink, and the convenience and peacekeeping are worth paying the price for an otherwise unprofitable machine. If the goal is profit, then revenue has to keep up with rent and delivery costs.
The price of rental is not high, typically around 50 dollars per month. This is a small price to pay compared to a concession operator. There might be additional fees, such as delivery and electricity. A vending machine can cost a bit more depending on the service, but costs are calculated based on the value of the machine and its need for maintenance. Vending machines are also rare assets and so are rented accordingly.
The price of the service really can be worth it. If the machine is operating in front of a large crowd, then it might be half empty at the end of a day. The fact that it requires no labor except for refilling and moving is indeed a beautiful thing.